Friend or Acquaintance?

Our Hero is in the lands beyond the Jordan River preparing His disciples to carry on what He has started following His impending death. Jesus is asked a simple question. Will many people be saved? A good question that shows that the person asking it is paying attention to what Jesus has been teaching thus far. But Jesus does not really answer the question. He deflects away from it entirely. Instead, He says focus or strive for this. What could possibly be more important than salvation? Jesus tells us in this passage. What Jesus says here could change entirely how you see the gospel message and everything you think you know about almost everything.